Pressure controlled multi-state fountain for spas

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods relating to pop-up fountains for spas where the fountain includes a fountain head that has a first set of orifices and a second set of orifices, and at least two operating states. The first orifice set is active, and the second orifice set is inactive, when fountain head is in a first operating state. The second orifice set is active when the head is in a second operating state. The fountain head transitions between the first operating state and the second operating state in response to a change in position and/or a change in fountain head pressure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fountains for spas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A fountain is a structure from which a jet or stream of water issues. Afountain head, as used herein, is a component of a fountain from whichthe jet or stream of water issues. A spa is sometimes defined as tub forrelaxation or invigoration, usually including a device for raisingwhirlpools in the water. A fountain for a spa is a fountain positionedsuch that the water from the fountain exits the fountain head, flowsthrough the air, and flows into the spa.

In some fountains, a fountain head extends from the fountain (“pops up”)when a jet or stream of water issues from it, and retracts when it isnot in use. An example of a pop-up fountain assembly for installation ina swimming pool can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,722,816 (the '816patent). In the '816 patent, a fountain assembly extends upward from thebottom of a swimming pool when water flows through it, and retracts intothe bottom of the pool when the fountain is turned off and the pool isto be used for swimming. An example of a spa with a pop-up waterfallapparatus can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,435 (the '435 patent). Inthe '435 patent, a waterfall apparatus pops up when a stream of waterissues from it in the form of a waterfall, and retracts into the side ofthe spa when not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods relating topop-up fountains for spas. In one preferred embodiment a fountainincludes a fountain head that has a first set of orifices and a secondset of orifices, and at least two operating states. The first orificeset is active, and the second orifice set is inactive, while thefountain assembly is in a first operating state. The second orifice setbecomes active when the fountain assembly is in a second operatingstate. The fountain transitions between the first operating state andthe second operating state in response to a change in position of thefountain head and/or a change in fountain head pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The exact nature of this invention, as well as the objects andadvantages thereof, will become readily apparent from consideration ofthe following specification in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference numerals designate like partsthroughout the figures thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is perspective partial cutaway view of a spa including a fountainfor the spa in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of the head of the fountain of FIG. 1retracted into a side of the spa.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing the pattern of water issuing from thefountain of FIG. 1 while the head is retracted.

FIG. 4. is a schematic side view illustrating movement of the head ofthe fountain of FIG. 1 between a retracted position and an extendedposition.

FIG. 5 is a perspective side view of the head of the fountain of FIG. 1extended from a side of the spa.

FIG. 6 is a top view showing the pattern of water issuing from thefountain of FIG. 1 while the head is extended.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of water flow through the spa and fountain ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of water flow through the spa and fountain ofFIG. 1 when the fountain is in a first operating state.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view water flow through the spa and fountain ofFIG. 1 when the fountain is in a second operating state.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a first alternative fountain head.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second alternative fountain head.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of water flow through an alternativefountain head.

FIG. 13 is a top view illustrating an oscillating fountain head.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a third alternative fountain head.

FIG. 15 is a top view illustrating a first water pattern of the head ofFIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a top view illustrating a second water pattern of the head ofFIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the preferred embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with thepreferred embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments arenot intended to limit the invention. On the contrary, the invention isintended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which maybe included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined bythe appended claims. In the following detailed description, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. However, it will be understoodby one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may bepracticed without these specific details. In other instances, well knownmethods, procedures, components, circuits and/or other items have notbeen described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure theimportant aspects of the present invention.

When designing a fountain for a spa, it is not necessary to utilizemultiple fountain heads to be able to vary the pattern of water flowingfrom the fountain. Instead, one or more multi-state fountain heads canbe used. In a multi-state fountain head, the pattern of water flowingfrom the fountain head changes as the operating state changes. Suchchanges may be accomplished in a variety of ways, but in a preferredembodiment described herein, operating state changes are obtainedthrough a change in fountain head position resulting from a change inthe pressure of the water flowing into the fountain head.

In FIG. 1, a portable spa 1 includes a water filled cavity 2 thatfunctions as a fountain pool because the spa 1 includes a fountainassembly 11 that issues water into the cavity 2. The fountain assembly11 is mounted to an upper surface 3 of a body 4 of the spa 1, and iscoupled to a circulation system 5 of the spa 1 that includes a cavityoutlet 6, conduits 7, components 8, 10, and 12, and a controller 9. Thefountain assembly 11 does not contact or protrude from the sides of thewater cavity 2. The components 8, 10, 12 may comprise a jet pump,filter, and heater, or may be any other combination of circulationsystem components.

Water within the cavity 2 enters the circulation system 5 via the cavityoutlet 6, passes through the conduits 7 and the components 8, 10, and12, and exits the circulation system 5 via the fountain assembly 11. Thecontroller 9 is used to control the circulation system 5, andfacilitates turning the system on and off and adjusting the pressure atwhich water is introduced into the fountain 11. Water is introduced intothe fountain assembly 11 at at least two pressure levels, a higher leveland a lower level. As shown in FIG. 1, water is being introduced intothe fountain assembly 11 at the higher level such that a fountain headof the fountain assembly 11 is extended from the surface 3 of the body4.

In FIG. 2, a head assembly 13 of the fountain 11 is shown retracted intoa head assembly receiving cavity 15 that extends into the surface 3 ofthe body 4 of the spa 1. As can be seen in FIGS. 2-7, the head assembly13 is moveable relative to the cavity 15 such that the head assembly 13can be retracted and extended. When retracted as shown in FIG. 2, moreof the head assembly 13 is positioned within the cavity 15 than when thehead assembly 13 is extended as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Extending thehead assembly 13 is sometimes referred to as causing the head assembly13 to “pop-up”.

As best seen in FIG. 7, the head assembly 13 includes a head 17 and ariser 19. The riser 19 includes at least one fluid inlet 21, and atleast one fluid channel 23 extending between the fluid inlet 21 and twoorifice sets 25 and 27 of the head 17. As best seen in FIG. 2, theorifice set 25 includes a plurality of nozzles 29 positioned andoriented to cause water flowing through the nozzles 29 to form jets ofwater projecting upwards from the head 17. The orifice set 27 includes asheeting manifold 31 positioned and oriented to cause water passingthrough the manifold to form a waterfall. The flow of water issuing fromorifice set 27 is designated as F1, and the flow of water issuing fromorifice set 29 is designated as F2. FIG. 3 illustrates the flow F1 fromthe active orifice set 25 when the head assembly 13 is retracted, andFIG. 6 illustrates the flows F1 and F2 from the active orifice sets 25and 27 when the head assembly 13 is extended.

The head assembly 13 and the cavity 15 cooperate to inhibit water flowthrough the orifice set 27 when the head assembly 13 is retracted intothe cavity 15, and to allow water to flow through the orifice set 27when the head assembly 13 is extended from the cavity 15. The headassembly 13 moves between a first, retracted position and a second,extended position in response to changes in water pressure at the fluidinlet 21 and the fluid channel 23. When water at lower pressure passesthrough the head assembly 13, water exits the head assembly 13 throughthe orifice set 25 as jets, but not through the orifice set 27 (see FIG.3) because the orifice(s) of the orifice set 27 is/are within the cavity15. The sides of the cavity 15 inhibit water flow through the orifice(s)of the orifice set 27. Once the pressure of water entering the headassembly 13 exceeds a threshold value, the head assembly 13 extends fromthe cavity 15, and water flowing through the head assembly 13 exits theassembly through both the orifice set 25 and the orifice set 27 as flowsF1 and F2 (see FIG. 6).

The orifice set 27 is activated by changes in pressure of water enteringthe head assembly 13 in that water is less inhibited from flowingthrough the orifice(s) of the orifice set 27 at higher pressures than atlower pressures. Although the method by which orifice sets are activatedor deactivated may vary between embodiments, the orifice set 27 isactivated by increased pressure and corresponding movement of the headassembly 13.

Although it is preferred that no water flow through inactive orifices,it is contemplated that in some instances there will be leakage suchthat some water may pass through an orifice set when it is inactive. Assuch, water flowing through an orifice set is not always a reliableindicator of whether the orifice set is active, although lack of waterflow is a good indicator of inactivity. In some embodiments an orificeset can be said to be active or inactive depending on whether the headis positioned to facilitate or inhibit flow through the orifices of theorifice set. In some embodiments a particular orifice set may bedetermined to be active or inactive because some other mechanism isfacilitating or inhibiting water flow through the orifice set. In someembodiments, an orifice set is active if the fountain is in a statewhere water flow through the orifice set is desirable and inactive ifflow through the orifice is not desirable.

In the assembly of FIG. 1, the orifice set 27 is activated as a resultof the movement of the head assembly 13 out of the cavity 15. However,it is contemplated that other embodiments may be activated using adifferent mechanism, in response to something other than a change inpressure, and/or in response to a change in pressure without a change inposition or movement of the head assembly 3. As an example, a flow pathto the orifice set 27 might include a pressure valve set to open at apre-selected pressure. In such an instance, if the water entering thehead assembly 13 is below the pre-selected pressure, the valve wouldremain closed and water would issue from the head assembly 13 onlythrough the orifice set 25. However, at pressures above the thresholdpressure, the valve would open and water would issue from both theorifice set 25 and the orifice set 27.

In some instances a fountain may be said to comprise multiple operatingstates with at least one operating state corresponding to each uniquecombination of active orifice sets. As such, FIGS. 8 and 9 illustratetwo operating states of the spa 1. In a first operating state as shownin FIG. 8, only the orifice set 25 is active, and in a second operatingstate as shown in FIG. 9, the two orifice sets 25 and 27 are active. Asshown, in FIG. 8, water from the fountain assembly 11 exits the assemblythrough the orifice set 25 as flow F1, flows into the cavity 2, iscirculated by the circulation system 5 and re-enters the fountainassembly 11. The same thing occurs in FIG. 9 except that water flowsfrom the fountain assembly as flows F1 and F2 through orifice sets 25and 27. I

Although embodiments have been described in relation to two orificesets, alternative embodiments may comprise additional orifice sets. Assuch, an embodiment might comprise three orifice sets and sevenoperating states with each of the at least seven operating statescorresponding to a unique combination of the three orifice sets. As withthe fountain of FIGS. 1-7, activation and deactivation of orifice setsmay be caused by pressure changes, movement of one or more pressureheads, and/or some other mechanism.

The number , type, position, and/or orientation of orifices in eachorifice set may vary between embodiments. As an example, someembodiments may only include jets in orifices sets and/or may onlyinclude sheeting manifolds, rather than having one set include jets andone set include a sheeting manifold as shown in FIG. 1. It iscontemplated that it is advantageous to have the flow from at least oneorifice set project upwards and outwards from the center of the fountainhead. In the fountain head 13 of FIGS. 1, the flow F1 from the orificeset 25 projects upwards and outwards.

FIGS. 10 and 11 depict flow head assemblies 13′ and 13″ comprisingorifice sets 27′ and 27″ from which a flow F3 is issues as shown in FIG.12. As can be seen in FIG. 12, the flow F3 issues upward and outwardfrom the flow head 13′, as it would with flow head 13″ as well. The headassemblies 13′ and 13″ differ in that the assembly 13′ provides a morelaminar flow than the head assembly 13″ as the head assembly 13″ isintended to produce a patterned flow.

In some instances flow head assemblies may move in a manner that changesthe direction of the flows issuing from the flow head assemblies, butdoes not result in any orifice sets being activated or inactivated. Asan example, FIG. 13 shows a flow head assembly 13′ oscillating around acenter axis to move the flow F3 first towards one side 41 of a spa 43and then towards another side 45 of the spa 43.

In some embodiments, a head assembly may be manually or automaticallyconfigurable such that the size, number, position, and/or orientation ofone or more orifices can be adjusted to change the pattern of waterissuing from the head assembly. In some instances, a fountain maycomprise one or more mechanisms which are not part of the head assemblyfor manually configuring the pattern of water issuing from the fountain.In FIG. 14, a head assembly 51 comprising an orifice set 53 and arotatable cover 55 is shown. The cover 55 can be rotated to completelyor partially cover the orifice set 53. As such, in some instances theflow F4 from the orifice set 53 is narrow as shown in FIG. 15, while inother instances it is wider as shown in FIG. 16. It is contemplated thatsuch adjustability allows a single embodiment of a flow head assembly tobe used in a corner of a spa as well as along a side of a spa.

At least some of the fountains described herein may be said to embodythe following method of operating a fountain: (a) causing the fountainto enter a first operating state wherein water flows through a firstorifice set but not a second orifice set by causing water to flow into afountain head at a first pressure; and (b) causing the fountain to entera second operating state wherein water flows through a second orifice bycausing the water to flow into the fountain head at second pressurewhich differs from the first pressure. In some instances, the fountainsembody such a method where: (a) the second pressure is higher than thefirst pressure, and/or (b) water flows through both the first and secondorifice sets when the fountain is in the second operating state.

1. A fountain comprising: a fountain head having a first set of orificesand a second set of orifices; the first set of orifices being active,and the second set of orifice being inactive, when the fountain head isin a first operating state; and the second set of orifices being activewhen the fountain head is in a second operating state.
 2. The fountainof claim 1 wherein the fountain head transitions between the firstoperating state and the second operating state in response to a changein position of the fountain head and/or a change in fountain headpressure.
 3. The fountain of claim 2 wherein the fountain transitionsbetween the first operating state and the. second operating state inresponse to a change in fountain head pressure which causes a change infountain head position.
 4. The fountain of claim 3 wherein the secondorifice set comprises a sheeting manifold.
 5. The fountain of claim 4wherein the first orifice set is active while the fountain assembly isin the first operating state and while the fountain assembly is in thesecond operating state.
 6. The fountain of claim 5 wherein the firstorifice set comprises a plurality of jets positioned and oriented todirect water upwards and away from the fountain head.
 7. The fountain ofclaim 6 wherein the fountain is positioned in or on an upper surface ofa portable spa where the upper surface surrounds a cavity sized anddimensioned to receive a person.
 8. The fountain of claim 7 wherein thefountain is fluidly coupled to a circulation system of the portable spa.9. The fountain of claim 8 wherein the circulation system comprises oneor more of a heater, a filter, and a jet pump.
 10. A fountain for a spacomprising: a pop-up mechanism including an adjustable width sheetingmanifold.
 11. The fountain of claim 10 wherein the pop-up mechanismincludes a cover that can be rotated to block at least a portion of anoutlet of the sheeting manifold where the amount that the cover isrotated affects how much of the sheeting manifold outlet is blocked. 12.A pop-up fountain for a portable spa, comprising: a fountain headlocated in the side of the spa, the fountain head including at least oneorifice set that directs water issuing from the orifice set upwards andaway from the fountain head.
 13. The fountain of claim 12 wherein thefountain is coupled to a circulation system of the spa, the circulationsystem comprising one or more of a heater, a filter, and a jet pump. 14.A method of operating a fountain comprising: causing the fountain toenter a first operating state wherein water flows through a firstorifice set but not a second orifice set by causing water to flow into afountain head at a first pressure; causing the fountain to enter asecond operating state wherein water flows through the second orificeset by causing the water to flow into the fountain head at a secondpressure which differs from the first pressure.
 15. The method of claim14 wherein the second pressure is higher than the first pressure. 16.The method of claim 15 wherein water flows through both the first andsecond orifice sets when the fountain is in the second operating state.17. The method of claim 16 further comprising using a jet pump causingwater flow through one or more jets to pump water through the fountain.18. The method of claim 14 further comprising: obtaining water from aseating cavity of the spa; and heating the water after it is obtainedfrom the seating cavity, but before it flows through either the first orthe second orifice set.
 19. The method of claim 14 further comprising:obtaining water from a seating cavity of the spa; and filtering thewater as or after it is obtained from the seating cavity, but before itflows through either the first or the second orifice set.